Sir Ben Ainslie unveils digital education programme, BT STEM Crew

Alongside its official charity, the 1851 Trust, Land Rover BAR has launched BT STEM Crew to help engage students in science, technology, engineering and maths.

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To help support teachers with engaging students in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), Land Rover BAR has unveiled BT STEM Crew.

The free online learning programme is designed to engage students, aged between 11-16, in STEM subjects and careers.

It was launched by Land Rover BAR and its official charity, the 1851 Trust, at the British Museum on 10 October, 2016.

The programme will be used by teachers of biology, physics, maths and deign & technology.

BT STEM Crew draws on the inspiration, expertise and knowledge of Land Rover BAR to help develop thousands of young people’s STEM skills and open their eyes to STEM careers.

The programme responds to research with educators across the UK showing that one of the biggest challenges within STEM education is a lack of easily relatable materials linking STEM subjects to real careers.

It draws on Land Rover BAR’s extensive technical experience to provide a solution.

The programme is part of BT’s long-term commitment to build a culture of tech literacy for the UK, starting with the next generation. The company aims to reach five million children with its BT Tech Literacy programme by 2020.

At the British Museum, 1851 Trust Patron Sir Ben Ainslie was joined by Land Rover BAR Engineer Katie Lawrence, 1851 Trust Ambassador Al Harding, BT’s Director of Tech Literacy Liz Williams, and the head teacher of Henry Cort School in Hampshire, Claudia Cubbage to discuss STEM education, tech literacy in the UK and the role of BT STEM Crew.

 

BT STEM Crew students

Students from The Nobel School in Stevenage at the launch. Credit: Annalisa Banello

The discussion was moderated by former BBC World journalist and moderator Nisha Pallai.

Students from The Nobel School, Stevenage then took part in a demonstration of three BT STEM Crew lessons in speed and distance, mechanisms and nutrition.

The museum was filled with interactive exhibits from Land Rover BAR’s Tech Deck and Exhibition Centre in Portsmouth, including Virtual Reality goggles and instructions on how to design a virtual foiling catamaran.

The Tech Deck was opened in May 2016 by 1851 Trust Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

Students also took part in a demonstration of three STEM Crew lessons in mechanisms, speed and distance and nutrition.

Speaking at the British Museum, skipper of Land Rover BAR and Patron of the 1851 Trust, Sir Ben Ainslie, commented: “Alongside our aim of winning the America’s Cup, we have always set out to inspire the next generation into the sport and the wider marine industry.”

“It’s great to see Land Rover BAR’s official charity, the 1851 Trust, launch an exciting new digital education resource – BT STEM Crew,” he continued.

“We hope that by using real life sport and technology to explain everyday science and maths problems, we can encourage more young people to consider STEM careers and become Britain’s future innovators, scientists and engineers,” added Sir Ben.

Robert Phillips, Year 10 student from Nobel School, said: “We’ve never done a programme like STEM Crew in school before. I think it’s fun and I enjoy using the interactives and films.”

“When you start to look at sailing like this, you understand more about the STEM skills and knowledge that they are using and how they got to that point.” stressed Robert. “I enjoy studying science and maths and I want to go into computing and programming, and STEM Crew brings these subjects to life.”

Teachers are also welcoming BT STEM Crew.

Dominic Shibli, science teacher at Nobel School said: “I wanted to be involved as soon as I saw the benefits that STEM Crew could provide. I’ve got a very clear philosophy of education which is that we teach subject knowledge first so that they can then apply that situation in context.”

“If you’re going to engage students you need to show them everyday scenarios, as with STEM Crew,” he added.

Land Rover BAR, led by Sir Ben, will challenge for the 35th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup in 2017, aiming to bring the cup home to the UK for the first time in the race’s history.

Teachers and schools can register today to access the full set of free downloadable resources at www.stemcrew.co.uk

Schools can also book a trip to the Tech Deck at Land Rover BAR’s Portsmouth HQ.